title: Examination of sustained gait speed during extended walking in individuals with chronic stroke.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine if individuals with chronic stroke were able to sustain their peak gait speed during the 6-minute walk test (6MWT), and to explore this sustainability across community ambulation potential subgroups.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  University-based research laboratory, hospitals, and stroke support groups.
  
  
  METHODS
  A sample of individuals with chronic stroke (N=48) completed a series of questionnaires and physical outcome measures, including gait mat assessment, during a single visit.
  
  
  METHODS
  Not applicable; 1-time cross-sectional data collection.
  
  
  METHODS
  During the 6MWT, we measured peak gait speed and end gait speed to assess sustainability, along with beginning gait speed, total distance walked, and rating of perceived exertion. We also assessed maximum gait speed during the 10-meter walk test (10MWT). Finally, we examined these gait outcomes across the subgroups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During the 6MWT, peak gait speed declined from .89m/s (SD=.38) to an end speed of .82m/s (SD=.36), whereas perceived exertion increased from 7.7 (SD=2.6) to 11.8 (SD=3.6). This peak gait speed was slower than the 10MWT maximum speed of 1.06m/s (SD=.51), but faster than the 6MWT beginning speed of .81m/s (SD=.34). The unlimited community ambulator subgroup was the primary contributor to sustainability differences.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Predicting community ambulation potential based on the discrete gait speed from the 10MWT and endurance based on the average from the 6MWT might be incomplete if gait speed sustainability is not also assessed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN; Neurorehabilitation and Biomechanics Research Lab, Indiana University Health Neurorehabilitation and Robotics Clinic, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN.
authors.forename: Peter A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Altenburger
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN; Neurorehabilitation and Biomechanics Research Lab, Indiana University Health Neurorehabilitation and Robotics Clinic, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN. Electronic address: tdierks@iupui.edu.
authors.forename: Tracy A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Dierks
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN; Health Services Research and Development Center on Implementing Evidenced-Based Practice, Roudebush Veterans Administration Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN.
authors.forename: Kristine K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.affiliation: Krannert School of Physical Therapy, University of Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN.
authors.forename: Stephanie A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Combs
authors.affiliation: Department of Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Studies, School of Public Health-Bloomington, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN.
authors.forename: Marieke
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Van Puymbroeck
authors.affiliation: Health Services Research and Development Center on Implementing Evidenced-Based Practice, Roudebush Veterans Administration Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN; Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN; Center for Aging Research, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN.
authors.forename: Arlene A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Schmid
mesh_terms: D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010291:Paresis / Q000503:physiopathology; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: 10-meter walk test; 10MWT; 6-minute walk test; 6MWT; Gait; HHA; LCA; RPE; Rehabilitation; Stroke; UCA; Walking; household ambulator; limited community ambulator; rating of perceived exertion; unlimited community ambulator